Head on over...

Introducing.....

Head on over to the new official blog! (here) I apologize in advance for switching things up, but before I was trying to run two blogs, one with all things Thrifty (fromthriftytonifty) and one with other projects (Babies N More Galore) So I decided to make one final 'official' blog, and I will be getting rid of these two. I promise not to switch blogs again! (Until one day, hopefully soon! I have my own URL!) Please follow and share, and check back for LOTS of tutorials and tips! (There's already a few up there!) And have a wonderful day!

Where have I been?

Hello! I bet some of you are wondering if I will ever post again! HAHA! Yes yes, sorry its been awhile! It has been hectic in this house! Right now we are trying to close on the house we are buying! I have been very busy with projects (decor related) for the new place and have been taking pictures, but My camera cord is packed somewhere! (That connects it to the computer, it has an unusual port) So as Soon as I can find it... I can post some tutorials and ideas! :) Little look into what I have been up to:
Necklace holder
4th of July wreath
Wall decor

Stay tuned! :)

Super cute, cheap, framed art/ decor for kids room!

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by my blog! :) Sorry I have not posted anything for a little while... I have been busy! Trip to California, house hunting, and just normal life! Well, no worries because I am back and am hoping to be posting quite regularly! Here is a sneak peak at an upcoming post that is in the works... It is going to be a DIY hair bow holder!

Its super easy, don't worry! I will just go through and show you the photos of step by step instructions for those of you who haven't figured it out on your own! :)

Now onto today's actual blog post...

I recently made a couple of car seat blanket tents (tutorial coming soon as well!) and I used this adorable material I just fell in love with... I had some of it leftover and my sons shelf on his side of the room was lacking a little bit... So I came up with this easy free (for me) fix!

So I took a picture frame that I already had (thanks mom for the Christmas gift!) (If you don't have one use a coupon at Michaels, or check your local thrift store! I never pay full retail price!) And I just stretched and layed the fabric against the glass so it was nice and smooth (I reccomend ironing unless you are stubborn like me and don't want to get your iron out but you will have an easier time with an iron I promise- or unwrinkled fabric!) Then I put the backing on and Woolah! Framed decor for my son! For me this was free because I already had the supplies. If you are looking to go out and buy the supplies, shop smart and you should be able to do this under $5 easy!

Isn't this material just to die for?! I just LOVE it!

KNITTED BABY BEANIE....

Awhile back my mother-in-law taught me how to knit.... (Just the basic purl and knit stitch).

While I was at Borders one day, I saw a book with several baby-based knitting patterns... so of course, I had to get it! Now, if you haven't looked at a knitting pattern (I hadn't) When you open that little book, you will probably be totally lost and confused... (well, I was anyways).

To give you a small example, knitting patterns read a little something like this: cast on 60 stitches k 1 row p1 k2 p3 k3 k2tog co ... you get the point, right?? There are a lot of other knitting stitches that I don't know how to do yet (like circular knitting, and alligator or mattress stitches, etc..) So there is quite a lot in my little knitting book that I do not understand! I went on google and searched several things and was finally able to decode most of the pattern. (which doesn't mean I can do it, I just understand what it stands for, lol)  I found a pattern in my book that only called for a knit and purl stitch, which I know! Yay! It was for a little baby beanie :)

Now the pattern stated '0-3 months' but as you can see in the pictures, its slightly big and he is almost 4 months (trust me, my kids do NOT have small heads). So it didn't fit him for a little while, but he's starting to grow into it now and I just think its adorable!

I used a super soft yarn (sorry I forgot what brand, but I bought it at Jo-Anns). When I washed the beanie, it became even softer! I would suggest not using such a soft yarn though, because it is so silky it like to slip off his soft little hairy head, but of course its totally up to you!  Here's a few more views:

By the way: I will make these to order if you want one! Just email me for details :) babiesnmoregalore@gmail.com

Meeting your 'get fit' New years goals???

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, Ashley, from makeit-love it, has been working on a goal she set for herself for the New Year to 'get fit'. In doing this she has been given a couple of cool devices to try out! The best part is, she holds giveaways so you can try these devices for free too! (if you win) :)

Right now she is holding a giveaway for the fitbit activity dvice!  click here if you would like to follow Ashley's progress and enter to win one for yourself! 'The FitBit uses motion sensor technology (just like the Nintendo Wii remote) and measures your motion all day long. The Fitbit accurately tracks your physical activity, steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned.' It also measures sleep quality!!!!


Anyone that set some 'get-fit' goals for themselves too, I hope everything is going well for you! :) I ned to get on mine... I cannot believe that it is already February, can you?!

I have several projects in the making... I will post as soon as I get them all completed! Stay tuned... Here is a sneak peak... :)




(is this Dinosuar material just not the cutest ever?!)

*update* Dinner... Fast, Easy, and Delicious

(Scroll to bottom for the update!)
This is one of my favorite meals to make. It is so simple, and takes very little prep time!
It takes me about 5 minutes to prep, and cooks for 50 minutes. And I love that it is an all-in-one meal, meaning I don't have to make a salad, bread, etc..

Would you like to make it???

1 can cream of chicken soup (I use regular campbells)
1 1/3 cups water
3/4 cup uncooked regular long grain white rice
1/2 tsp onion powder (I actually don't have this so I have never used it in the recipe)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups frozen mixed veggies
4 skinless, boneless whichen breast halves (I just use how many ever I need, usually 1-2)

1/2 cup chedder cheese (I also never use this...)

1. Stir soup, water, rice, onion powder, black pepper and veggies in a 11x8" (2-qt) shallow baking dish
2. Top with chicken. Season chicken as desired (I use lawrys). Cover.
3. Bake at 375*F for 50 minutes, or until chicken and rice are done (50 minutes has worked great for me) Top with cheese. Let casserole stand 10 minutes. Stir rice before serving.

See, wasn't that easy?!?!
*recipe says 'serves 4'

Update:
In case any of you were wondering, I tried making this in a pot on the stove instead of the oven. (How I traditionally make my rice, I used to use a rice cooker but mine broke). I didn't use any chicken when I cooked it on the stove, just the rice and veggies (plus the seasonings and cream of chicken). It turned out great! Although more work than the oven in my opinion, a little of stirring involved (aren't I nice and lazy?!) It did cook a little faster though... I cannot remember exactly... Sorry! But I think about 30 minutes.

And the very best part about this meal?!??! My two year old will eat it!!!!

From Sweater to Pillow... repurposing

Check out this post on my Thrifty to Nifty blog! Using a sweater I bought from a local thrift store... I made a new pillow for my bed!

At home Micro Dermabrasion... giveaway!

So I just LOVE To read from Ashley's website, make-it love it she has so many great inspirations and tutorials! With the start of this new year she has been focusing on a healthier lifestyle (something I need to get going on...lol) Recently she was just given a product to try out... the PMD Home Microderm Abrasion Device from best buy.




Click here to read about her results, and enter for a chance to win one of your very own!!!!

Easier Paint Cleanup....

I found this makes it a lot easier to clean
up my paint mess when I am done....

I slide my tray into a garbage bag and tape it down so it is secure. That way I can just throw the bag away and not have to wash out the tray! (Or in my case here, end up with a painted tray! I obviously started doing this project a little too late... sorry paint tray...)

Clean Labels off Glass Jars Easily....

Have an empty Jar laying around your kitchen that you would like to turn into a project! (I love to do this, so cheap! And a great way to 'recycle'!) Are those glass jars covered in sticky labels that just leave goo and paper behind when you try to peel them off?! Heres how I get mine off, super easy! (I suggest using this on GLASS jars only!)

First, wash your jars and put the lids back on (if you chose).
Peel off most of the label with your hands.

Boil a large pot of soapy water.

Once the water is boiling, put your jars in the water and let boil for several minutes. (I used tongs to get my jar out and to turn it in the water).
Take your jar out and let it cool down.
Then I washed my jars once more to clean off the soap and the last of the goo (it came right off after boiling it, otherwise I would have had to scrub diligently at it!)

Now what to do with these jars.... lol


(I have also heard that putting them in a solution of bleach water does the same thing, but I have never tried this for myself!)

Front Door Wreath - DIY

I saw a picture of this on the internet about a month ago....

And I just fell in love with it, and HAD to recreate it. Really, it was very simple. Anyone could easily do this!

Supplies needed:
1 twig wreath
5 big flowers of your choice
Ribbon (color of your choice) to make a bow
Numbers
Spray Paint
Wire cutters (if your flowers have stems attached)
Hot glue gun & glue

Sorry I did not take step by step pictures, but here is the main process:

First, spray paint your numbers and let dry.
While they are drying you can start on the next steps:
Cut the stems off of your flowers (I left a small amount of stem on my flowers for poking into the wreath for added stability).
Make your ribbon into a bow.
Arrange your flowers, bow, and letters on your wreath around where you would like them to be. Pick up one item at a time (this ensures the items will get put back in the appropriate places) and hot glue them back to your wreath. (I found the flowers the most challenging part, but eventually managed to get them secured to that wreath!)
Finally, hang your new wreath on your door!!!

 

Unfortunately... HOA won't let me take the 104 off my door making it slightly tacky... but I guess I'll have to get over it.

Total cost? (I bought my supplies at Michaels craft store)

• The wreath: around $3
• Ribbon: about $1
• Flowers: $3-$4 each.
• Spray paint: $0 (I had some, but typically about $3)

However, Michaels is always having sales/ and or coupons so you could easily get your supplies for cheaper. (I used a 20% off coupon). The flowers were the most expensive part, but I just LOVED them :)  Hobby Lobby has some great flowers as well!

Curling Baby girls Hair- the easy way!

Recently I did this to my daughters hair and loved how it turned out. the curls remind me of perm- style curls :) My favorite part is that it did not take very long at all, so I was able to get it all done without my baby girl trying to squirm away (she just watched a cartoon)

 Would you like to know how???
First, I sprayed my daughters hair until it was DAMP (not soaking, or it will take forever to dry!) You may want to do this in sections as some pieces may dry before you get to them.

Then, I took a section of hair (I find its best to do smaller sections rather than big sections. Mine were a little big)

Then I began to twist that section of hair....

until the whole strand was completely twisted...

after the whole strand is twisted, continue to twist the strand and it will start to curl up on itself....

continue twisting until the strand has curled up into a little ball. secure with a hair tie....

You could leave it in overnight... but I did it earlier and was just testing to see how it turns out (I also didn't want the little stinker to pull them out at night! She's 2...) Wait for her hair to dry completely... and then some...

Once dry, take out the little "knots" and see the finished result! (you'll need to fluff it up a little bit to blend the sections)

Welcome!

I created the blog "From Thrifty to Nifty" awhile ago, ( click here ) but I have decided to keep that blog for my thrift store projects (thats the plan as of now).  I created this blog as my baby projects (+ whatever other projects I get myself into! Hence: Babies N More!) Many new things coming soon! Stay tuned! I have posts on my other blog if your interested!